System for organizing mechanic&#39;s tools or other items in a toolbox or other container

ABSTRACT

Although there are a number of aids for organizing a mechanics tool box, they are not versatile enough to work in many existing toolboxes. We propose ideas and methods not only to assist in organization of tools in toolboxes, but also a method of mounting new tools for sale that would allow using the packaging material itself in the organizing process. The exact mounting mechanisms and/or interconnecting mechanisms are not as important to this design as is the concept of individual mounting units that can be interconnected into a variety of patterns depending on the user&#39;s needs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mechanics tools are composed of many small items that are hard to keep organized for easy use. These include sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, and other tools, all of various sizes. Continual resorting is required which is irritating and time consuming. There are organizing systems for toolboxes that are currently available, however they lack adaptability to fit many existing tool boxes or at best are often times an imperfect fit. This results in wasted space and/or tools awkwardly divided between drawers or other spaces. Our goal was to devise a tool organizational system that maximizes organization as well as optimizes space utilization. Additionally, this system allows the collection to grow or contract as tools are added to, or taken away from the collection. To accomplish this, we allowed for individual mounting units that can be added to the system structure or just as easily removed if the mounting unit is damaged or the tool/mounting unit is no longer needed. This system would lend itself to selling new tools mounted on these individual units which could then be snapped or otherwise fixed into place, by one of many possible mechanisms, in whatever pattern fits the owner's needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Schematic overview of the concept.

FIG. 2 Concept of interlocking units.

DETAILED FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS

In FIG. 1, an overview of the design can be seen. Samples of tools mounted by use of the individual mounting units are shown, as well as the mounting unit being interconnected into a variety of configurations. This allows mounting the tools securely in a wide range of toolbox shapes.

FIG. 2 shows one of many possible mounting units. This example shows how socket type tools might be mounted on the post shown. This post is mounted ninety degrees to the square plate shown. It is the square plate part of the unit that would attach to a second mounting unit as shown here. The owner can then continue to attach mounting units together until the available space is filled or the desired shape is obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have designed individual tool mounting units that can be linked to form collections of tools in whatever organizational pattern the owner desires. These units snap or otherwise interlock into a pattern adaptable to the users needs. We have designed these mounting units so that they can be sold individually or in collections, allowing organization of existing tool collections, or to also sell with new tools already mounted on these units. These new tools could then be affixed directly into the expanding collection. The novelty of this design is the concept of separate interlocking mounting units. The exact interlocking mechanism is not important to the concept. As manufacture of these units progresses, the optimal mechanism for connecting the units would be decided. Even though the original concept was the organization of tools, this concept is easily adaptable to a wide variety of consumer goods that might be better served being sold on a mounting unit for organization by the consumer. Further examples would include sewing needs or hobby supplies. 

1. An organizational system for a mechanics tool box or container to help organize an existing tools collection.
 2. A method for packaging new tools for sale that would allow utilization of the packaging material directly into the organizing structure that we are proposing.
 3. A mechanism that allows for adding to or deleting from the tool-organizing matrix, as needed. 